Police have issued a strong warning to employers to let their workers go home early today as Glasgow prepares to be hit with an Arctic weather bomb.

It comes as amber snow and ice “be prepared” warnings take effect, covering central and southern Scotland and Strathclyde.

Officers said there is a "high risk" of disruption and delays on the roads in areas covered by the alert, which is valid until 10pm on Friday.

The Met Office is warning of heavy snow showers with up to 12 inches (30cm) possible over the highest routes, and up to four inches (10cm) at lower levels.

READ MORE: Heavy snow for Glasgow as Met Office upgrades warning to amber

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf MSP has warned that weather and driving conditions between 3pm and 10pm tonight are going to be “challenging.”

Forecasters said there is a chance of power cuts, while some rural communities may be cut off.

Dozens of schools around the country are closed while some are shutting early due to the weather conditions.

Superintendent Louise Blakelock, of Police Scotland's Road Policing department, said: "If you travel on the road network in the warning area, you will be disrupted and you will face significant delays.

"With that in mind I would urge the public to think and plan ahead for their return journey home this afternoon.

"If you are able to, please make your homeward journey earlier. If you are an employer, please think carefully about allowing your staff to return home early if possible.

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"I would like to make it clear that there is a high risk of disruption for road journeys and with that comes a high likelihood of the conditions being very poor, therefore I would ask people whether their journey is really necessary?"

Mr Yousaf added: “With the Met Office issuing another amber warning for snow, we are facing another potentially difficult period for drivers on the trunk road network.

"We're being told the period between 3pm and 10pm tonight is going to be challenging, so I'm urging people to avoid travel within the amber area at that time.”